Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and US defence major General Electric Aerospace are preparing to begin commercial negotiations on producing the F414 jet engine in India for the Tejas Mk-2 fighter. Sources told The Indian Express that the discussions, which have been in progress for close to two years, could conclude within three months.
The deal was first announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the United States in June 2023 and received clearance from the US Congress in August the same year. Once the agreement is signed, production in India is expected to begin within three years. It will be timed with prototype testing and the order pipeline for the Tejas Mk-2 aircraft.
Technology transfer at the core
Officials involved in the talks confirmed that GE Aerospace has agreed to transfer 80 percent of the technology required for the F414 engines. This is a significant jump from the 58 percent offered in 2012.
The technologies on offer include special thermal and corrosion-resistant coatings for hot-end parts, machining and coating for single-crystal turbine blades, production of nozzle guide vanes, and blisk machining. These capabilities are considered essential for long-term maintenance and performance.
Certain critical areas remain outside the agreement, particularly the compressor, combustion chamber, and turbine, which are regarded as the heart of any jet engine. Despite these exclusions, officials said they are confident negotiations will stay on track. They also noted that recent diplomatic tensions between India and the US are not expected to affect defence-related discussions.
Safran partnership for AMCA
While the HAL-GE agreement covers the Tejas Mk-2, India has set its sights higher for the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The Defence Research and Development Organisation has finalised French company Safran as its partner to co-develop a new high-thrust engine in India. The project is awaiting approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security and will include full technology transfer.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum, called these collaborations an important step in advancing India’s defence technology.
Push for indigenous engines
Prime Minister Modi used his Independence Day speech to underline the importance of home-grown aero engines. “Should we not have our jet engines for our Made-in-India fighter jets? Just like how we made vaccines during Covid, and UPI for digital payments, we should build jet engines on our own, too. Our scientists and youth must take it up as a direct challenge,” he said.
India has struggled for decades to develop indigenous jet engines. The Kaveri programme, once billed as a breakthrough, did not succeed. Globally, only a small number of countries have mastered the science and metallurgy required to design and produce combat jet engines.
Officials said manufacturing of the F414 engines in India should begin within three years of the deal being signed. The production schedule will be aligned with the needs of the Tejas Mk-2 programme. For the AMCA, work is expected to begin as soon as Cabinet approval is secured for the Safran partnership.
Together, these deals reflect India’s twin strategy: to bring in advanced technology through partnerships while building the foundation for future self-reliance in defence aviation.
The deal was first announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the United States in June 2023 and received clearance from the US Congress in August the same year. Once the agreement is signed, production in India is expected to begin within three years. It will be timed with prototype testing and the order pipeline for the Tejas Mk-2 aircraft.
Technology transfer at the core
Officials involved in the talks confirmed that GE Aerospace has agreed to transfer 80 percent of the technology required for the F414 engines. This is a significant jump from the 58 percent offered in 2012.
The technologies on offer include special thermal and corrosion-resistant coatings for hot-end parts, machining and coating for single-crystal turbine blades, production of nozzle guide vanes, and blisk machining. These capabilities are considered essential for long-term maintenance and performance.
Certain critical areas remain outside the agreement, particularly the compressor, combustion chamber, and turbine, which are regarded as the heart of any jet engine. Despite these exclusions, officials said they are confident negotiations will stay on track. They also noted that recent diplomatic tensions between India and the US are not expected to affect defence-related discussions.
Safran partnership for AMCA
While the HAL-GE agreement covers the Tejas Mk-2, India has set its sights higher for the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The Defence Research and Development Organisation has finalised French company Safran as its partner to co-develop a new high-thrust engine in India. The project is awaiting approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security and will include full technology transfer.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum, called these collaborations an important step in advancing India’s defence technology.
Push for indigenous engines
Prime Minister Modi used his Independence Day speech to underline the importance of home-grown aero engines. “Should we not have our jet engines for our Made-in-India fighter jets? Just like how we made vaccines during Covid, and UPI for digital payments, we should build jet engines on our own, too. Our scientists and youth must take it up as a direct challenge,” he said.
India has struggled for decades to develop indigenous jet engines. The Kaveri programme, once billed as a breakthrough, did not succeed. Globally, only a small number of countries have mastered the science and metallurgy required to design and produce combat jet engines.
Officials said manufacturing of the F414 engines in India should begin within three years of the deal being signed. The production schedule will be aligned with the needs of the Tejas Mk-2 programme. For the AMCA, work is expected to begin as soon as Cabinet approval is secured for the Safran partnership.
Together, these deals reflect India’s twin strategy: to bring in advanced technology through partnerships while building the foundation for future self-reliance in defence aviation.
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